Discussion Questions

Section 1: Understanding the Memoir

1. What drew Michael Ansara into activism at such a young age? How did his early experiences shape his lifelong commitment to organizing?

2. The book describes the author’s involvement in Students for a Democratic Society (SDS). What were the key goals of SDS, and how did they change over time?

3. How does Ansara depict the challenges and tensions within the anti-war movement? How did the goals of the anti-war movement change over time?

4. Ansara writes a lot about “strategy”.  What were the strategies of the anti-war movement? Do you agree or disagree that there was a failure of strategy in 1968?

5. Ansara traces a path to becoming a skilled organizer. What are the key lessons he learned along that path?

6. The book chronicles not only the successes of the movement but also its failures. What were some of the key mistakes made by activists, and what lessons can be learned from them?

Section 2: The Broader Impact of the 1960s

1. Ansara argues that the divisions and struggles of the 1960s still shape America today. In what ways do you see the legacy of the 1960s in today’s political and social movements?

2. What parallels can be drawn between the Vietnam War protests and recent protests against war, police violence, environmental destruction or the Trump administration?

3. How did the splintering of the Democratic coalition in the 1960s and the success of the movements of that era contribute to the rise of the modern Republican Party?

4. The memoir emphasizes the importance of grassroots organizing. How did organizing build the movements of 1960s? What strategies from the 1960s remain relevant for modern movements? What new strategies do activists need today?

5. How did the experiences of Black activists differ from those of white activists in the civil rights and anti-war movements? What does this tell us about race and activism in America?

6. The book describes the growth of feminism as emerging from the civil rights movement and the New Left. What led women to start their own organizations? What has changed, and what has not changed, since then for women activists?

Section 3: Personal Reflection and Application

1. The book raises important questions about moral responsibility and activism. Have you ever felt compelled to take a stand on an issue? What challenges did you face?

2. What role should young people play in political and social movements? What unique contributions can they make?

3. Do you believe that nonviolent resistance is the most effective strategy for change? Why or why not?

4. The book emphasizes the importance of organizing, rather than just protesting. What are the differences between mobilizing and organizing? Which do you think is more effective in today’s world?

5. If you had been alive during the 1960s, do you think you would have participated in the movements? Why or why not?

6. Does the book offer any lessons for someone who is active or wants to become an activist today?

Download the PDF of the Book Discussion Guide here.

For Book Clubs

• Personal Stories: Have members share a time they participated in or witnessed activism. What motivated them? What challenges did they face?

• What Would You Do? Imagine you are a young activist in the 1960s. What cause would you fight for? How would you organize?

• As you read the book, what did you think about what is happening in America today and the question of what you should or could do about it?

For Classrooms

• Historical Connections: have students research one of the historical events mentioned in the book (e.g., the Harvard Strike, the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party challenge, the election of 1968) and share your findings with the group. Have students discuss the role of activism in a democracy.

• Debate: Assign students to different historical perspectives (e.g., an SDS activist, a pro-war politician, a journalist covering the protests). Have them stage a debate about the Vietnam War among, for example, an SDS activist, a pro-war politician, a university administrator. You can ask students to go deeper and debate strategies and tactics: non-violence versus more militancy, non-electoral versus electoral, etc.

• Creative Writing: Write a letter from the perspective of a young activist in the 1960s to a young person today. What advice would they give? Or having read the book, what advice would you give an activist in the Sixties with the benefit of today’s knowledge?

• Comparison Essay: Compare the Vietnam War protests with a modern protest movement (e.g., Black Lives Matter, climate strikes, anti-war, anti-Trump demonstrations). How do the tactics and challenges compare?

• Discuss: In what ways do young people face similar questions as young people did in the sixties? In what way do they face different issues? What challenges do young people face today that those in the sixties did not? Do you find any guidance in the book on how to deal with them?

Download the PDF of the Book Discussion Guide here.

Final Takeaways

• What does “the hard work of hope” mean to you?

• What lessons from this memoir are most relevant today?

• How can individuals today take action on the issues they care about?

Michael Ansara is available to have a discussion with book clubs, social action groups, political organizations, students and classes. Please use the contact section of www.MichaelAnsara.org to send in a request. 

Download the PDF of the Book Discussion Guide here.